Re: Working out at the local gym?

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Most everything I do is in the pool. Running, step-ups, paddling, stretching,

cardio (jumping) jacks, biking, so much more. It is like one stop shopping. My

gym has all the pool toys I need, paddles, balls, wobble board, the pools have

adjustable currents for resistance. Been doing this for years now 3-4 times a

week for an hour. Go back through the archives and look at " aquatics " also look

in our Files and Links for info. What I do is much more than plain swimming. My

docs encourage this too.

I do use some gym equipment, the Ab trainer, trampoline, the bike, but I much

prefer the water and not waiting for the machines and equipment to be free.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I think that the approach we take with exercise has to be specific to our own

level of impact from CMT.

I have relatively mild CMT although I am impaired. I have spent one year doing

leg stability and strength work, including weight based exercises. I have now

built up to be able to run slowly but with stability and minimal risk of injury.

I am now adding to my work more advanced strengthening protocol as given to me

by my neurophysiotherapist.

I swim, and I bike. I also do core exercise work and yoga.

Regardless of what you choose to do, I would do this in conjunction with your

doctors. I would also follow a simple rule of thumb - do not add more than 10%

to your exercise level each week. This is to avoid injury. It also avoids over

stressing your muscles and getting too sore.

Give yourself plenty of rest and recovery time.

Good luck. You can read more about my training and experiences with exercise

and CMT on my website.

Best wishes from London,

Donna

[Guest guest]

Donna,

To run.... OMG! I have not been able to run for 30 years! When I was diagnosed

with CMT the doctors wrote a letter to my school elminating me from gym classes

(physical education) for the rest of my schooling! And I have never run since.

And now I cannot run even if I wanted to try, I have a screw in each of my big

toes. I would definitely fall over my own two feet without having to worry about

my ankles giving way. LOL

It truly amazes me how CMT can be so different from person to person. My

youngest sister who is 42 years old does not have it as bad as I do. Only her

one foot has been affected really bad.

Why not the other one too? Sometimes this disease really confuses me.

Diane Gracely

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I hadn't run in 30 years either! But with A LOT OF PATIENCE (and hard work) I

can now. It just goes to show that 30 years ago when our doctors wrote us notes

to get out of PE, because we " couldn't do it " that definitions of CAN and CAN

NOT can completely and totally change and be challenged!

My left side is impacted very differently from my right. Everyone has a

difference in their two sides - but for me for some reason my left just doesn't

take exercise well. I have lost the ability to remember how to do calf lifts on

my left, for example. This is one of the key focus areas I am working on now.

Good luck with everything,

Donna

> To run.... OMG! I have not been able to run for 30 years! When I was diagnosed

with CMT the doctors wrote a letter to my school elminating me from gym classes

(physical education) for the rest of my schooling! And I have never run since.

>

Only her one foot has been affected really bad.

>